Murphys behaviour towards Millie

[Murphys Law]

Murphy and Millie tend to get on okay together. I have noticed that they don't play with each other anywhere near as much as they used to do and I think that Murphy would like to play but Millie is more reluctant.

But occasionally, seemingly from nowhere, Murphy will have a growl at Millie and mouth her neck. Like he is going for her but not in an attempt to hurt. More putting her in her place. The best way I can put it is it is like a older brother giving his little sister a little punch just to let her know who is boss.

I know that the dominance theory has been pretty much proven to be rubbish, but it looks like Murphy is asserting his dominance on Millie. This only happens a couple of times a week at most, and doesn't affect Millie other than she doesn't seem to want to play any more.

Any ideas?

[daw]

I think grown-up boys can push girls around! My last boy used to bully (only in a nice way) MIL's slightly taller bitch.  I was always apologising for him- among other things...

[lescef]

My two don't play anymore but very occasionally Maddie will stand looking at Bramble and wag her tail slowly which used to be the signal to play. Bramble isn't interested, maybe because she's been growled and snarled at too many times!
This is my experience. . Maddie will sometimes lean towards Bramble and mouth her neck as if she wants to play. She tends to do this when she's getting excited -before and after a walk, around meal times, during a walk. I know with Maddie that it can tip over into aggression so I do watch carefully how she behaves. Sometimes it's a quick mouth and that's all. However, when we were out last weekend we were walking through a field that had long grass growing. My two were romping about in it, Maddie got excited and did her mouth at Bramble but then she went over threshold and went at her. I wouldn't say it was true aggression but not friendly play, so I stop those episodes with an Ahh Ahh. Bramble doesn't take kindly to any of it so I wouldn't leave them to it. Two is fun isn't it!!!

[Mudmagnets]

My two older ones rub along quite well, but Branston (youngest) is a bit like this with Minstrel, usually it is if Minstrel has found something Branston thinks is rightfully his. It's really odd though because if I am giving out treats Branston will have his, but politely sit there whilst I give the other two theirs....odd critters

[Murphys Law]

Thanks for the replies.

@leacef I can really relate to your posts because your two sound very similar to my two. One if the things that sets murphys off is me getting the leads out for a walk. They both get excited, he chases Millie down the kitchen growling and corners her. He mouths her neck and then they both run back to me so I can put the leads on

@mudmagnets odd critters is right. The other day I fed my pair but they were interrupted by a knock on the door. After I had dealt with the caller I turned around to find Millie polishing Murphys diner up and he was just standing watching her. I didn't ever think that could happen.

[Murphys Law]

when we were out last weekend we were walking through a field that had long grass growing. My two were romping about in it, Maddie got excited and did her mouth at Bramble but then she went over threshold and went at her. I wouldn't say it was true aggression

This has just happened on our walk today. Out on a lovely open field and Murphy started getting excited and running at Millie barking and snapping. I really believe it is Murphys idea of fun and it isn't aggression but Millie is very, very sensitive (if I ever have a bit of an argument with my son, she runs off to hide) so she does not like it and comes running back to me for reassurance.

It wasn't long ago they used to play fight constantly and I used to hate it because I always worried that it could tip over into a proper fight (it never did) but now I wish that they would interact more often.

[lescef]

when we were out last weekend we were walking through a field that had long grass growing. My two were romping about in it, Maddie got excited and did her mouth at Bramble but then she went over threshold and went at her. I wouldn't say it was true aggression

This has just happened on our walk today. Out on a lovely open field and Murphy started getting excited and running at Millie barking and snapping. I really believe it is Murphys idea of fun and it isn't aggression but Millie is very, very sensitive (if I ever have a bit of an argument with my son, she runs off to hide) so she does not like it and comes running back to me for reassurance.

It wasn't long ago they used to play fight constantly and I used to hate it because I always worried that it could tip
over into a proper fight (it never did) but now I wish that they would interact more often.

I'm not really sure what the correct approach to this type of behaviour is, but feel that it's lack of impulse control by Maddie and needs to be prevented to stop it tipping over into aggression.  I try to keep her calm all the time. She used to be so chilled.
Plus Bramble doesn't like it, but unlike Millie she barks back.
However, if Bramble goes for Maddie, usually guarding, then Maddie runs away and I call her to reassure her.

Interestingly, I watched Choosing the right puppy for you, a while ago. The trainer on it did say that dogs that were allowed to play too roughly together for too long in the same house could end up with aggression problems. Although we didn't let our two play for too long I think maybe we allowed the play to be too rough which could have contributed to Maddie's problems. If only I'd known that then!!